1 battlement | Definition of battlement

battlement

noun
bat·​tle·​ment | \ ˈba-tᵊl-mÉ™nt How to pronounce battlement (audio) \

Definition of battlement

: a parapet with open spaces that surmounts a wall and is used for defense or decoration

Illustration of battlement

Illustration of battlement

battlement: 1 crenellations, 2 merlons, 3 machicolations

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from battlement

battlemented \ ˈba-​tᵊl-​ËŒmen-​tÉ™d How to pronounce battlemented (audio) \ adjective

Examples of battlement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tudor Revival borrows many elements from medieval design such as twisted chimney stacks, battlements, stained glass, and leaded windows. Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Palmer Woods: A guide to Detroit neighborhood's history, architecture," 12 Oct. 2017 In one of the stories Garrone adapts, a handsome king on the battlements of his castle hears a beautiful female voice from the houses of the poor below. Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, "The Rabelais of Naples," 9 May 2019 Nearby, a pair of pitchers depict agonizing scenes from the Trojan Wars: Achilles dragging Hector; Priam anguished on the battlements; Achilles hit in the heel. Melik Kaylan, WSJ, "‘Devotion and Decadence: The Berthouville Treasure and Roman Luxury From the Bibliothèque Nationale de France’ Review: Shining Silver From an Untarnished Trove," 31 Oct. 2018 On the island of Ischia, near Naples, stands a fortress, a formidable set of battlements and turrets that seem to shoot out of sheer rock, with a vertiginous drop to the sea below. Sarah Dunant, New York Times, "Who Was Vittoria Colonna? Just One of Italy’s Great Poets...," 1 June 2018 The modernist genius took the few remaining elements of the medieval fortress—which used to be a Roman defense tower—and devised a new castle with battlements and straight lines that are not very common in its style. Virginia Irurita, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Spain," 5 Oct. 2016 Covering the central nave are superb 14th-century frescoes whose delicacy is all the more striking because of the rugged battlements surrounding them. Christopher Bagley, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Bewitching Time Warp of Transylvania, Romania," 4 May 2018 And there were the whimsical battlements of Forest Glen, Md., just a few miles away from Rossdhu. John Kelly, Washington Post, "Answer Man visits the National Park Seminary in Forest Glen, Md.," 24 Feb. 2018 Low battlements, about waist height, protect us from the drop on either side. Anna Hartley, chicagotribune.com, "Hiking the authentic Great Wall of China, without the tourists," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'battlement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of battlement

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for battlement

Middle English batelment, from Anglo-French *bataillement, from batailler to fortify with battlements — more at battle

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for battlement

battlement

noun

English Language Learners Definition of battlement

: a low wall at the top of a castle with open spaces for people inside to shoot through

battlement

noun
bat·​tle·​ment | \ ˈba-tᵊl-mÉ™nt How to pronounce battlement (audio) \

Kids Definition of battlement

: a low wall (as at the top of a castle) with openings to shoot through

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on battlement

Nglish: Translation of battlement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of battlement for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about battlement